They just wanted to dance

BY LINDSAY MCREYNOLDS

Posted 6/19/18

A group of eight Cookeville-area residents simply wanted somewhere to dance.So a few months ago, they decided to start their own."The first night we had 175 people here," said Donna Mason on a recent …

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Doug Stewart, Kathy Stewart, Dale Groce, Rita Stafford and Bob Stafford are also on the committee. Marylin Roberts is the group's treasurer, and Sharon Elliot is the secretary.

Organizers say the dances were initially publicized by word of mouth, but they've become so popular that they're now a stopping place for politicians campaigning in this election year as well as businesses offering to sponsor rent and music.

Doug Stewart said, "We've had good cooperation from business people. That shows you how bad people in Cookeville want to dance.

But Mason said the dances even attract people from outside the city.

"People come from Lebanon, Hartsville," she said. "Every week we have new people."

During a heavy thunderstorm a few weeks ago, more than 200 showed up to dance.

"We just wanted to dance," Rita Stafford said. "We're just a bunch of dancers who wanted to dance."

The dances are held every Thursday night from 6:30 to 9:30. Admission is $5.